The ongoing controversy involving Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, and Robert Kraft took a satirical turn over the weekend when “Saturday Night Live UK” delivered brutal jabs at all three.

On the show’s “Weekend Update” segment, presenters Ania Magliano and Paddy Young mocked Kraft as a “wealthy corpsemaxxer” while calling Macklemore a “good guy with bad music.”

Meanwhile, Sheeran returned to the stage on Saturday in Philadelphia, but photos circulating on social media appeared to show rows of empty seats.

‘SNL UK’ Takes Aim At Ed Sheeran’s Tour Controversy

“Saturday Night Live UK” pulled no punches in a Sept. 20 segment about the controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, targeting Robert Kraft with sharp-witted jokes that quickly circulated on social media.

The controversy began after rapper Macklemore called for a “Free Palestine” during his opening set on Sheeran’s tour a couple of weeks ago.

He was subsequently dropped from the tour after several venue owners reportedly refused to let him perform at their stadiums. In a later statement, Macklemore said Sheeran had told him that Kraft rallied the other owners against his continued involvement.

During the show’s news recap, host Ania Magliano opened by joking that the Israel-Palestine conflict “just got serious” because of the controversy involving the artists.

Robert Kraft Gets The ‘Wealthy Corpsemaxxer’ Treatment

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Magliano went on to explain how the “Shape Of You” singer was under pressure to cancel his tour, joking that the controversy was the worst thing to happen to his fans “since their head injury.”

Calling Macklemore the “good guy with bad music,” she recounted his removal from the tour at Kraft’s request as the billionaire’s picture appeared onscreen. She joked that it showed him “picking a coffin.”

Co-host Paddy Young took over, calling the 85-year-old a “wealthy corpsemaxxer” with a “checkered past.” Kraft was charged with two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution in February 2019. Prosecutors dropped the charges in September 2020.

Young also took aim at Sheeran, showing a photo of the singer and joking about his eyes as he described him as “looking at both sides of the issue.”

He then noted the “Perfect” singer’s longstanding support for Ukraine, quipping that Sheeran was a passionate advocate of “causes that are allowed.”

Ed Sheeran Apologizes For ‘Mistakes’ Amid Tour Fallout

Meanwhile, Sheeran continued to face intense criticism after Macklemore was dropped from the tour.

He returned to the stage on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Philadelphia, where he addressed the situation and apologized to fans for making “mistakes,” per the BBC.

“I never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about free speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran told the crowd.

The British singer noted that he was used to criticism. However, he said the events of recent weeks “were about something much more important, and I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions – and I am making mistakes – and I’m so, so sorry.”

Sheeran Calls Gaza Conflict ‘Unjustifiable’

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The “Perfect Duet” singer also clarified his position, describing the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks as “horrific” and the conflict in Gaza as “unjustifiable.”

“My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilian lives, of children’s lives, and this systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked,” he continued.

Sheeran said he was still exploring ways to help victims of the conflict while acknowledging gaps in his understanding of the situation.

Visibly moved to tears, he added that his concert was “still a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views.”

Protesters Gather Outside Sheeran’s Philadelphia Show

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Although the show went ahead as scheduled, the controversy remained a focal point outside the venue.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered to criticize Macklemore’s removal and urge Sheeran to take a stronger stand on the Israel-Gaza conflict, per the BBC.

Protest messages appeared on placards and merchandise, including a red baseball cap modeled after President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” hat. Its message read, “Make Palestine Free Again.”

Tickets also remained available in the hours before the show began.

Prince Harry opened up about how he cheered up his two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, as they embark on a new school year following the family’s U.K. move.

“At breakfast this morning, they had a bit of Monday morning blues,” Harry, 42, told Hello! before the 2026 WellChild Awards at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on Monday, September 21. “There’s always something like Sunday night blues or boarding school… when you’ve been away, or before you go to school.”

The Duke of Sussex added that he managed to cheer up his kids by sharing that he would be attending the WellChild Awards — a charity ceremony held annually to honor those who provide support and care for seriously ill children in the U.K. as well as the kids themselves.

“At breakfast this morning, I decided, ‘You know what? You’re being a little bit tricky, so I’m going to tell you exactly what I’m doing tonight,’” he revealed. “And they were genuinely fascinated and asking all sorts of questions. So, like with all of my work and their mum’s work as well, whatever we can do to try to instill some of that awareness, I think is absolutely crucial.”

Harry — who has been a patron of WellChild since 2007 — added that his dedication to the charity has only increased since he became a dad. (Harry and wife Meghan Markle welcomed Archie in May 2019 and his sister Lilibet arrived in June 2021.)

“Once you become a parent, it does change everything. It’s not the fact that for all the years that I wasn’t a parent that meeting the kids didn’t matter as much, but you suddenly realise how grateful you are to have kids that aren’t sick,” he said.

The prince went on to say, “And again, day in, day out, coming off the back of kids being out [of school] for 11 weeks… but you find yourself going, ‘Wow, in that room with those parents, you really can’t complain about anything.’ Of course, it’s all relative, but the inspiration that I get from these guys — not just the kids, but the parents themselves — it fills me up for a whole year.”

Harry attended the WellChild Awards solo on Monday — just as he did for his first U.K. appearance since moving home at the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner and Awards in London on September 7. (Meghan, 45, has shared glimpses of her new life in the U.K. via social media but has yet to make any public appearances in an official capacity.)

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The royal couple arrived in the U.K. late last month in time for their kids to start at a new school — but they soon announced they were switching where Archie and Lilibet will be educated.

“The decision for the children to move school was taken following a discussion with the family’s security team about the practicalities of their current arrangements,” a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told Hello! on September 14. “The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family. This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have received there.”

The Sussexes previously lived on the West Coast in the U.S. for six years after stepping down from their senior royal duties in 2020.

As we near the end of the year, it’s time to acknowledge how 2026 has been a pretty good year for comedy. From shows about middle-aged crises and unconventional careers to dysfunctional families and messy friendships, television has produced plenty of reasons to laugh. Some of these have had us cracking up from beginning to end, while others masterfully balance their comedy with stories about grief, relationships, and the general disaster of being a person.

Better still, the best comedies of the year haven’t necessarily been the loudest ones, either. They’ve found humor in awkward situations, deeply flawed characters, bizarre circumstances, and the uncomfortabilities of everyday life. So yes, while more comedies could very well bring us joy as the next few months go by, these are some of our favorites—as of right now.

6

‘DTF St. Louis’ (2026)

Image via HBO

As Clark Forrest (Jason Bateman) and Floyd Smernitch (David Harbour) befriend one another after bonding over their stagnant marriages, the two decide to experiment with a local app intended for extramarital hookups. But tensions soon escalate into a toxic web of lies as Clark begins a secret affair with his new friend’s wife, Carol (Linda Cardellini). Of course, things only get worse when Floyd suddenly turns up dead.

Don’t let the show’s color-grading confuse you. While it does place a murder mystery at its center, DTF St. Louis is much more interested in the absurdity of the people involved rather than crafting a conventional crime thriller. Indeed, the humor mostly stems from watching deeply flawed adults make spectacularly bad decisions, with Bateman, Cardellini, and Harbour playing their characters’ loneliness and terrible judgment completely straight. It’s dark, uncomfortable, and often very funny in the way only a comedy about sex, death, and middle-aged desperation can be.

5

‘Hacks’ (2021–2026)

Season 5

Image via HBO Max

As Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) return to Las Vegas, the two quickly discover a smear campaign has been mounted against the legendary comedian. And yet, despite that (as well as a non-compete gag order), Deborah is determined to defy the odds and chase a career-defining goal: selling out a stand-up show at Madison Square Garden.

While it may be its fifth and final season, Hacks never seems to run out of ridiculous problems for Deborah to turn into her personal crusade. Whether she’s plotting around contracts, chasing the occasional milestone, or refusing to accept that the industry might not give her exactly what she wants, Deborah approaches every setback as though it were a declaration of war. Of course, Smart remains the show’s shining weapon, able to make a vicious put-down or completely unreasonable demand land with impeccable comic timing, while the supporting cast gets plenty of room for its own chaos. And even after all these years, Hacks still knows how to make the entertainment industry feel like the funniest and most dysfunctional workplace imaginable. A truly great send-off to a masterful show.

4

‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ (2026–Present)

Image via Apple TV

Margo Millet (Elle Fanning) is a college dropout and aspiring writer whose life takes an unexpected turn when she gets pregnant by her English professor. Now, abandoned by her baby’s father, she’s left facing mounting bills with very few ways to pay them. As a result, Margo returns to the orbit of her unconventional parents, while also exploring increasingly unconventional ways of making money—including starting an OnlyFans account.

On paper, the premise could’ve easily become a grim story about single-parenthood, but Margo’s Got Money Troubles somehow became so much more. For instance, rather than treating Margo’s decision as a punchline or a cautionary tale, the show takes her sex work seriously and instead finds plenty of comedy in the situations surrounding it. And let’s not forget how Michelle Pfeiffer and Nick Offerman make her parents’ eccentricity an attraction in its own right (along with some other surprising appearances). Yet another win for AppleTV’s growing catalog.

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‘Shrinking’ (2023–Present)

Season 3

Image via Apple TV

Struggling to grapple with the death of his wife, Jimmy (Jason Segel) decides to abandon his professional boundaries as a therapist and start telling his patients exactly what he thinks—even if this creates chaos for his clients, loved ones, and himself. By the third season, Shrinking follows an overarching theme of moving forward as Jimmy and his tightly-knit circle are forced to brave other massive life transitions, whether that be about parenthood, illnesses, or careers.

Despite all the emotional upheaval, Shrinking remains one of television’s funniest shows as its characters are spectacularly incapable of dealing with serious situations normally. Jimmy is still impulsive, intrusive, and very good at making other people’s problems his own, while the show’s found-family dynamic continues to generate plenty of wonderfully awkward and chaotic comedy. At the same time, the season gives its characters room to change, making the jokes feel more meaningful because there’s actually something at stake beneath them. Funny, warm, and occasionally heartbreaking, season 3 has only left us begging for the next.

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‘Adults’ (2025–Present)

Season 2

Image via FX

A tight-knit, co-dependent group of twenty-somethings—Samir (Malik Elassal), Billie (Lucy Freyer), Issa (Amita Rao), Anton (Owen Thiele), and Paul Baker (Jack Innanen)—live together in Samir’s childhood home in New York while attempting to figure out how to become functioning adults. Stumbling their way through life, their problems range from relationships to family, money, and the increasingly embarrassing realities of being responsible for themselves.

Adults truly stuck its landing this season as the show that perfectly encapsulates the Gen Z experience. For one, it completely commits to turning the mundane humiliations of your 20s into full-blown comic disasters. A fake ID, a dinner party, a workplace mistake, or even switching bedrooms can become the basis for an entire episode of increasingly stupid consequences. Season 2 also makes sure to give the ensemble more room to develop beyond the chaos, since the characters feel more like true friends rather than five people assembled solely to deliver punchlines. So let’s renew the show for season 3, okay?

1

‘Widow’s Bay’ (2026–Present)

Image via Apple TV

Set in a fictional New England town, Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) is determined to transform the struggling community into a tourist destination. But his plans bring renewed attention to the town’s strange traditions and long-buried secrets, forcing Tom and the locals to confront the unsettling forces that surround them.

After winning an egregiously record-breaking number of Emmys this year, it’s not surprising that Widow’s Bay has once again found itself on top. Rather than turning the horror into an excuse for constant jokes, the show lets the supernatural elements play out with genuine menace while also finding the comedy in the reactions of those caught within them. Rhys anchors the show with a stunningly straight-faced performance that makes the stranger moments even funnier. And of course, that humor is only amplified by the eccentric ensemble who all seem to have their own relationship with the town’s bizarre history. The result is a rare horror-comedy that truly leans into the creepy and the absurd—and somehow makes both sides work.

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Widow’s Bay

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Release Date

April 28, 2026

Network

Apple TV

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Showrunner

Katie Dippold

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Directors

Sam Donovan, Andrew DeYoung, Hiro Murai, Ti West

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A Soulslike video game is a specific subgenre of role-playing games with several defining characteristics. These games are often difficult by design, with death being a regular part of gameplay, and feature heavy amounts of environmental storytelling, open-level design, and regular checkpoints, usually in the form of things like bonfires or lampposts. The games also make you lose your currency when you die and require you to run back to your corpse to retrieve it—if you die again on the way there, your currency is gone forever.

The term “Soulslike” comes from the Dark Souls series of video games, as well as spiritual successors like Bloodborne, Elden Ring, and Sekiro, all of which were made by FromSoftware. Being RPGs, they often lean heavily into the fantasy genre, with many of them being just as good as the originals that inspired them. These are the best fantasy-themed Soulslike RPGs. Note that for this list, only non-FromSoftware games will be included—it’s about Soulslike games, not Soulsborne games, after all.

10

‘Ashen’ (2018)

Image via Annapurna Interactive

Ashen is a Soulslike with a really interesting aesthetic. It almost looks like a kids’ game or like some sort of painting, moving away from the realistic visuals the genre normally favors. Able to be played solo or in co-op, Ashen follows a nameless wandered travelling across a forgotten land, in search of their identity and a proper, permanent home. Like many other Soulslike games, though, this world is not a pleasant place to be, so this is no easy feat.

The game initially got mixed reviews at first, but after it was patched and updated, reviews became more positive. Much of the game is about open-world exploration, encouraging co-op gameplay to get past difficult obstacles, though it’s not a strict requirement. Rather than improving stats, players must improve their gear quality, as unlike other Soulslike games, the gear is more important than stats. It might not be a perfect game, but it’s a solid effort that’s actually pretty fun.

9

‘Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ (2025)

Image via 505 Games

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has players take up the mantle of the pirate Bai Wuchang. The game is set in the Shu region during the Ming Dynasty of Imperial China. A terrible disease known as the Feathering is rapidly spreading across the Great Ming, which only adds to the dumpster fire that the empire has become due to warring political factions. In the middle of it all, Bai Wuchang seeks a mythical artifact to resurrect her sister from the dead.

This game certainly has its flaws in the Soulslike department, which are pretty glaring and noticeable. However, the good far outweighs the bad, which means it’s still an overall enjoyable experience. Many Soulslike fans find this game to be substantially easier than other entries in the genre, though it is still difficult. As such, it’s a great entry point into the subgenre, introducing the core mechanics that are to be expected.

8

‘Thymesia’ (2022)

Image via Team17

In Thymesia, players control Corvus, a faceless hero clad in a Medieval plague doctor outfit. The story is set in the realm of Hermes, which tried to use alchemy to contain a rapidly expanding plague, an approach that proved to be more harm than good, as it ended up mutating Hermes’ denizens into horrific monsters. In the middle of it all, Corvus struggles to regain his memory and the secrets of his fallen kingdom.

Unlike most other Soulslike games, Thymesia has no stamina bar. Certain attacks and abilities have a cooldown metre, but players can chain basic attacks together at their leisure. However, combat isn’t so straightforward. Enemy health bars are inspired by the practice of bloodletting, meaning they regain their health after you attack unless you use your claw, which can only be used after the health bar has been whittled down a bit. The combat system is complicated and annoying at first, but you’ll eventually get the hang of it. In any event, Thymesia is a truly singular game in the Soulslike subgenre in a bleak and depressing world that Soulsborne fans should really try out.

7

‘Bleak Faith: Forsaken’ (2023)

Image via Archangel Studios

Bleak Faith: Forsaken is a really underrated Soulslike that doesn’t ever get the attention it rightfully deserves. This is sort of a science fantasy, set in a post-apocalyptic world completely dominated by the Omnistructure, a sprawling, complex megastructure that covers most, if not all, of the known world. The Omnistructure itself appears to have a mind of its own, as it is constantly changing and expanding further and further.

Admittedly, this game doesn’t really add any new mechanics or have any unique quirks about it, but it’s still a must-play for Soulslike fans. Moreover, the worldbuilding is top-tier, taking place in a looming and surprisingly terrifying complex that has fallen into ruin. Unravelling the history allows the player to piece together the lore of this ruined world while leaving the purpose of the Omnistructure mostly a mystery. In terms of sheer atmosphere, there’s nothing else like Bleak Faith: Forsaken.

6

‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ (2025)

Image via Neople

The First Berserker: Khazan is set in the same universe as the popular Dungeon & Fighter video games, all of which are set in a fantastical world inspired by Medieval Europe. In this game, you play as General Khazan, a disgraced military leader freed from captivity by supernatural forces. From there, he embarks on a quest to clear his name and prevent the spiritual imbalance jeopardizing the fate of the world.

This game has cel-shaded, manga-esque graphics, which fans of the original DNF series will be sure to love. Combat is very similar to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which is to say, it is based on a high level of aggression, blocking, and parrying rather than traditional dodging; yes, that also means it’s unforgivingly difficult. It might be a hard game, but it’s got some great reviews and is increasingly becoming a popular choice for Soulslike fans.

5

‘Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty’ (2023)

Image via Koei Tecmo

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a low fantasy game set in Imperial China. More specifically, it is set during the fall of the Han Dynasty, at the end of the 2nd Century. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, an unnamed protagonist rises to fight against three brothers who orchestrate the rebellion and plan to overthrow the Han Empire. Despite its similar name, this game has no connection to Wuchang: Fallen Feathers.

Players can choose between five divine spirits to give them an edge in combat, providing different elemental abilities. However, don’t expect them to make the game easy, as it is just as difficult, if not harder, than the Soulsborne series. The very first boss is widely considered one of the toughest, since he serves as a skill check that forces you to adapt to the game’s unorthodox combat system. It’s a great historical fantasy game set during an overlooked yet rich period in time, and definitely needs more love.

4

‘Mortal Shell’ (2020)

Image via Playstack

Mortal Shell is a game that’s been making headlines recently, mostly due to its brand new sequel, which came out last August. The sequel was a distinct improvement over its predecessor, but the original still has its own charm. When it comes to Soulslike RPGs, you typically create a character, choose a class, and build and tailor your hero to fit a specific playstyle. Mortal Shell does not let you do that.

You start as a faceless, featureless husk of a human being, and must progress through the world by jumping into hollow shells; remnants of warriors long dead. These shells come with weapons, armor, and faces, giving you a proper character. Be warned, though: they are not permanent. They come in various classes, meaning one shell will have you playing as a tank, while another will be based on agility and speed. It’s a game that forces you to adapt and think on your feet in its bleak and unforgiving world, which is why it’s so brilliant.

3

‘Lords of the Fallen’ (2023)

Image via CI Games

Lords of the Fallen is a stand-alone sequel to the 2014 Soulslike of the same name. The original was pretty average, but this sequel is an improvement in every possible way. The story is about humanity’s struggle against the infernal god Adyr, the Bereft Exile. Adyr’s defeat is orchestrated by a rising order called the Hallowed Sentinels, though they are powerless to prevent his imminent resurrection. As a desperate last-ditch effort, a crusader lobs his magic lantern into a pit of bodies, bringing one back from the dead, which is where the player comes in.

The levels are much more open and really intelligently designed, with the various areas interconnecting and overlapping in original Dark Souls fashion. The game also added a mechanic in the form of the aforementioned magical lamp that allows players to switch between the overworld, Axiom, and the parallel dimension known as the Umbral, finding hidden secrets, accessing new areas, and progressing further into the game. It’s a really fun game with some killer boss fights and infinite replayability due to all the hidden secrets.

2

‘Nioh’ (2017)

Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment

Nioh is the first in a trilogy of games created by the same developers behind Wo Long. As such, it is another historical fantasy, set in the real world. Rather than being about ancient Chinese history, this game focuses on Japan in the Edo Period. You play as real-life explorer William Adams, the first Englishman to set foot in Japan, albeit a highly fictionalized version of him.

Nioh sees players travelling across Japan, which is plagued with demons known as oni, who are being released into the world. These oni come straight from Japanese folklore, and even possess some real historical figures. The game is very different to Soulsborne games: the combat is punishing and more about blocking and parrying than dodging, forcing you to change stances and adapt to enemy types. While this game isn’t open world, opting for a traditional mission-based format instead, it’s a popular pick for Soulslike fans due to its sheer difficulty and differing gameplay.

1

‘Lies of P’ (2023)

Image via Neowiz

Lies of P is based on Carlo Collodi‘s novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, which was also adapted into a famous Disney animated musical in 1940. The game is set in the city of Krat, which resembles Belle Époque Paris. Automatons called puppets previously served as laborers and servants to humanity before abruptly slaughtering their masters en masse in an apocalyptic event known as the Puppet Frenzy. To make matters worse, a devastating pandemic begins sweeping through the city, turning the infected into horrific abominations.

In the midst of the chaos, a nearly perfect, human-looking puppet named P (short for Pinocchio) is awoken by the Blue Fairy, Sofia, who asks him to rescue his maker, Geppetto, and save Krat. This game brings a ton of cool mechanics to the formula, including custom weapons and prosthetic arms with different abilities. The worldbuilding is incredible, and it’s easily one of the most creative adaptations of a book ever made, which is why it earns the spot as being the best Soulslike RPG in the fantasy genre.